Information Handbook - RINGWOOD SECONDARY COLLEGE CRICOS provider number: 00861K (Department of Education and Training)
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International Student Program Information Handbook RINGWOOD SECONDARY COLLEGE CRICOS provider number: 00861K (Department of Education and Training)
Ringwood Secondary College was established in 1954. It is located in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne at the gateway to the Yarra Valley. The school has approximately 1500 students from years 7 to 12. Three sub schools coordinate the learning, safety and wellbeing of students. A core program is undertaken at years 7 & 8 and students in year 9 participate in the year long CHALLEN9E program which incorporates a core curriculum and a weekly interGREAT day. From Year 10, students choose from a diverse range of subjects to develop a pathway aligned with their interests and career aspirations. Students are supported by a strong team of experienced and committed teachers, in both traditional academic and vocational studies.
Ringwood Secondary College offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). VCE subjects offered: ENGLISH English, English Language, Literature, English as an Additional Language MATHEMATICS General, Further, Specialist, Mathematical Methods SCIENCES Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Psychology VISUAL ARTS Studio Arts, Media, Visual Communication Design PERFORMING ARTS Dance, Drama, Music Performance, Music Style and Composition TECHNOLOGY Information Technology, Food and Technology, Product Design and Technology (Textiles, Wood, Metal) HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health & Human Development, Physical Education HUMANITIES Accounting, Business Management, Classical Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy LANGUAGES French, Indonesian, Chinese First Language (in conjunction with the Victorian School of Languages)
COLLEGE FACILITIES
• Performing Arts Centre
• Instrumental Music Centre
• Large hall with multi-tiered seating
• VCE study centre
• Resource Centre with iMac computer lab
• Science laboratories (6)
• Automotive & Engineering facility
WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT
• Staffed by youth workers, social worker, guidance officer, nurse, coordinators,
attendance officer and school chaplains
• Proactive programs – Wellbeing days, Mental Health Awareness Week, Anti-
bullying, Supportive Friends, Standout Group, Respectful Relationships Group
• Student Leadership – Ambassadors, year level leaders, College Prefects and
Student Representative Council
• Transition Program for year 7
• Orientation events for incoming studentsPERFORMING ARTS AND MUSIC
• The College has 16 groups across Stage Bands, Ensembles, Choirs, Orchestra,
Strings and Bands
• Training Band is part of Band Tour and Jazz combos exist along with Symphonic
Orchestra and Touring Band.
• World Tour – every 3 years a group travels the globe to Canada, US, England,
France, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Thailand.
• The major annual production is performed over 8 nights and involves staff and
students in all theatrical areas.
SPORT
• Opportunities exist in Aerobics, Equestrian, Athletics, Hockey, Basketball, Netball,
Volleyball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Touch Football, Cricket, Swimming, Golf, Football,
Lacrosse, Cross-Country and other individual and team sportsINTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
• Since 1998, Ringwood Secondary College has welcomed students from a diverse
range of cultural backgrounds as full time, fee paying members of our College
community. Students from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, United
Kingdom, Korea, Iran and Hong Kong, make up our International Student Program.
• We provide a friendly and caring environment in which differences are applauded
and global citizenship is valued.
• The College has a policy of maintaining a small proportion of international
students, to ensure a strong Australian focus during their Ringwood experience.
• Our international students are supported by highly experienced staff, including the
Director of Admissions & Marketing and the Assistant Principal, Homestay
Coordinator and in class Multicultural Education Aide.
ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC GUIDELINES
The College expects students to achieve high standards of learning and personal
excellence and fully expects all students to attend every lesson every day. Condition 8202
on states ‘Overseas students must remain enrolled in a registered course and satisfy
attendance requirements for the school’s academic term. In this case, students must also
achieve satisfactory academic results for the duration of the course.’
If a student’s attendance falls below 80% the school is required by DIAC to report the
student for unsatisfactory attendance and similarly academic standard. This may result in
the cancellation of the student visa.HOMESTAY Being part of a family is always important and our Homestay program gives students the support of a local family and a place to call home. The Homestay program at Ringwood Secondary College is fully coordinated and managed by the College, as we believe that establishing close, ongoing relationships with our international students and homestay families is key to the success and wellbeing of the program. Homestay families play an important role in providing a nurturing and supportive environment that assists in adjusting to the Australian way of life. It allows students to participate in family life, share cultural and language experiences, whilst strengthening their English skills in order to reach their full potential. EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND SISTER SCHOOLS A student exchange provides students with the opportunity to exchange their school, culture, family and possibly language for a selected time period in another country.
It is far more rewarding than simply being a tourist, as students live like locals and acquire knowledge not available to the general traveller. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel and study at an overseas school with the support of a volunteer host family. At Ringwood Secondary College we are extremely fortunate to enjoy exchange opportunities with our sister schools, Montfort College in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Lycee Tessier in Bitche, Northern France and Trafalgar Castle School in Canada 2019 SCHOOL DATES Term 1 Tuesday 29 January Friday 5 April 10 weeks School Holidays Saturday 6 April Monday 22 April Term 2 Tuesday 23 April Friday 28 June 10 weeks School Holidays Saturday 29 June Sunday 14 July Term 3 Monday 15 July Friday 20 September 10 weeks School Holidays Saturday 21 September Sunday 6 October Term 4 Monday 7 October Friday 20 December 11 weeks School Holidays Saturday 21 December Tuesday 28 January
LOCATION Ringwood Secondary College is located approximately 25 kms from the Melbourne CBD. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Ringwood station is located 5 minutes walk from the school. Buses and trains depart at regular intervals. A Myki ticket is required for travel and concession is available for students. Visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au If you are caught travelling on public transport without a validated ticket, you will be fined. SHOPPING Eastland Shopping Centre is located 5 minutes walk from the school. For shopping hours and store information visit https://www.eastland.com.au
MELBOURNE Melbourne is the capital city of the State of Victoria and is the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 4.8 million. It is a relatively safe, clean and tolerant city which is home to communities of immigrants and visitors from all parts of the world, including a large number of overseas students studying at schools and universities. Melbourne is renowned throughout Australia for the richness of cultural life and for its excellent food options, offering cuisines from around the world. Melbourne is known for several major sporting events including the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), the Australian Formula One Grand Prix (motor racing) the Australian Open (tennis), the AFL Grant Final (Australian Rules football) and the MotoGP Motocycle Grand Prix. GENERAL COSTS Entertainment Cost of student ticket to the cinema $17.00 Cost of one game of ten pin bowling $16.00 Travel – Cost of student train ticket to the city 2 Hour $2.05 Daily $4.10 Eating Out Cost of a Big Mac meal at McDonalds $12.00 Cost of a large pizza at Pizza Hut $10.00
HEALTHCARE
Students who enter Australia on a student visa 500 must be covered by Medibank Private
(or similar provider) for the duration of their student visa. This is at the cost of the student
and is paid prior to commencement at school. Students may claim some of their medical
expenses at their local Medibank office or online. More information is available at
https://medibank.com.au
Maroondah Hospital is the nearest public hospital to Ringwood Secondary College.
Services include emergency medicine, general and specialist medicine, general and
specialist surgery, critical care services, ambulatory and allied health services.
MONEY AND BANKING
Australia has a decimal system with 100 cents to the dollar (AUD$). Coins have values of 5,
10, 20 and 50 cents, and $1 and $2. Notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Prices
are rounded up or rounded down to the nearest five cents of the total bill when you pay
by cash.
Melbourne’s banking hours are generally Monday to Thursday 9.00am-4.00pm and Friday
9.00am-5.00pm. Some banks in major shopping centres are also open on Saturdays. All
major banks are equipped to exchange foreign currency, but depending on the currency
and the size of the bank branch, it may need to be arranged in advance.
Several international banks have branches in Melbourne. Major credit cards – Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and their affiliates – are widely accepted
throughout Victoria. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are found in many convenient
locations and allow you to withdraw money at any time, day or night.
For your safety, you should use caution when accessing funds at night or in isolated
locations. Always protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN) when using an ATM.
SAFETY
Melbourne is a relatively safe city but you should take precautions to ensure your own
safety, just as you would in your own home city.
• Whenever you can, travel with at least one other person. If you are travelling alone
after dark, consider travelling by taxi or have someone meet you so that you don’t
have to walk alone
• Be alert at all times. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, find a way to leave
safely. Seek out the nearest safe public place such as a restaurant or café, or find
the nearest security guard / police officer
• Plan your trips carefully and tell someone when you expect to return home,
especially if you are travelling to unfamiliar places or after dark• Stay in areas that are well lit, especially when waiting for public transport. At train
stations there is always a marked safety zone with an emergency call button
• At night, always stay in well-lit streets and busy areas as much as possible
• Keep your mobile phone close. Memorise a few phone numbers (relative,
homestay, ISC) in case your mobile phone is lost/stolen
• Remember that 000 is the free emergency number for Police, Fire and Ambulance
services
• Keep handbags, purses or wallets on or close to your body
• Be aware of who is around you. Be as quick as you can at ATMs / Ticket Machines
and make sure no one can see you entering your PIN
TAXIS
All registered Victorian taxis are yellow and clearly marked. Victorian taxi drivers must
wear a uniform and have their Taxi Driver ID on display in the taxi at all times. You should
also be able to see the meter, which should always be turned on. For information about
taxis, including bookings, go to http://cpv.vic.gov.au
You can hail taxis on the street, wait at a designated taxi rank, or call one of the taxi
companies: Yellow Cabs 132 227 or Silver Top Taxis 131 008.
There is also a booking service available with a free phone app called 13CABS. Most taxis
accept cash, EFTPOS and credit cards.
In Melbourne you must prepay for all taxi trips between 10.00pm and 5.00am but you
should still make sure the meter is running. If the amount you pay at the beginning is
different to the metered amount when you arrive, you pay the extra amount or are
refunded the difference. Taxis often attract additional charges like a late night surcharge, a
fee for phone bookings, using a tolled freeway and a fee for taxis waiting at the airport
rank.
TIME ZONES
Australia has three time zones:
• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is GMT +10 hours and covers the eastern
states of Queensland, New South Wales (with the exception of the town of Broken
Hill), Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory
• Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is GMT +9.5 hours and covers the state of
South Australia, the town of Broken Hill is western New South Wales and the
Northern Territory
• Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) is GMT +8 hours and covers Western
AustraliaDaylight Saving (AEDT)
In Victoria, Daylight Saving runs from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in
April. Clocks are moved forward one hour in October to allow the daylight to last
longer into the evening and back again in April.
WEATHER
Melbourne’s weather can be very hard to predict and it is not unusual for the temperature
to change dramatically over the course of a single day.
Melbourne weather during the year
Season Months Average Minimum Average Maximum
Autumn March, April, May 11°C 20°C
mild, can be windy
Winter June, July, August 6°C 14°C
often cold and wet (below 0°C in some
outer areas)
Spring September, 10°C 20°C
mild and wet, but October, November
can be windy
Summer December, January, 14°C 26°C but can be as
hot February high as 40°C
The UV danger in Australia is very high. The Cancer Council of Australia suggest that when
you go outside you should always wear clothing that shields your skin from the sun as
much as practical; wear a broad-spectrum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30+ sunscreen, and
reapply it every two hours, wear a wide-brimmed hat, stay in the shade as much as
possible, and wear UV protection sunglasses.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides detailed weather forecasts and
updates for all areas of Australia online. The BOM also has an app available that will enable
you to access this information on your phone. Hourly weather updates and weather
warnings for Melbourne can be found at www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtmlYou can also read
